Jackson chasing another league title

Published 10:46 am Friday, February 29, 2008

MILL CREEK — It’s far too early for any definitive answers but the numbers are looking exceptionally good as Jackson’s boys track team gears up for the defense of its league title.

The Timberwolves have both depth and some key returners back. More than 90 athletes have turned out for the boys squad, which includes two of the top distance runners in the state in senior Caleb Knox and sophomore Jeff Helmer.

“We have a lot of experienced kids back and they are filling the holes for the kids that graduated last year that helped us to win the conference title,” Jackson coach Eric Hruschka said.

At the head of the pack is Knox, the defending league champion in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races. The Jackson standout recently competed in an indoor meet where he ran the 3,000 race and clocked in with a time that ranked among the top 10 in state history, according to Hruschka.

“Caleb’s success is making our guys’ distance group tougher too because they’re all chasing him,” Hruschka said. “He’s taking it to another level, so they’re all running better.”

Knox is planning to take a shot at the school records in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200, which are all held by Dustin Duke.

To achieve those goals, Knox has come into the season possibly in the best shape of his career.

“My conditioning is going well,” Knox said. “I’m just starting to add a little bit of strength and speed. I have very high goals for this spring. Last season was a good season but it was a little bit of a disappointment. I didn’t train the way I wanted to over the winter. I really didn’t get much good training in whereas this winter I totally revamped my training routine and I stepped up the intensity … I feel pretty confident right now.”

Knox took first place in the 800 and 1,600 and ran a leg on the winning 1,600 relay team at Jackson’s first meet of the season at Stanwood last week.

The Timberwolves (83 points) finished first in the three-way competition with Stanwood (69) and Shorewood (29).

Knox was satisfied with his results.

“It was the first time I went hard in a mile since midway through last fall and I felt pretty good,” he said. “The hardest part was focusing on those middle laps because there wasn’t anybody near me and the rain and wind were so strong.”

On the heels of Knox is teammate Helmer, who finished sixth at last year’s Class 4A state cross country championships. Helmer won the 3,200 but wasn’t all that happy with his time of 9:56.9.

A bone spur in his right heel sidelined Helmer for about a month. He only started training about five weeks ago.

“He’s a little behind where he wants to be but we still have two months,” Hruschka said. “He’ll be there at the end.”

The injury was the first serious one for Helmer and it’s caused him to adjust his goals for the season.

“I’ve definitely set my goals back a little bit but I’m just hoping I can come on strong at the end … and make it to state and help our team win a district or a league championship,” Helmer said.

Helmer had to rest and ice his heel as part of his treatment during the winter. The injury flared up after the cross country season and disrupted Helmer’s winter training.

“I know I can get back to that state of fitness,” Helmer said. “I just need time. Mentally, it’s kind of been hard to deal with. I thought I’d easily be able to transition over seasons. It feels like I have to start all over, like it’s July, the beginning of summer training.

“I’ve never been injured … coping with it was really hard. It helps to understand that I have two more years of high school left. I want to be good but I also understand I’m only a sophomore.”

One notable addition to the boys team is Johnie Kirton. The UW-bound senior did track his freshman year but played baseball his sophomore and junior years.

“It’s nice to have him back,” said Jackson coach Steve Till. “It makes more sense, unless he’s going somewhere in baseball, to run track and get in shape for football.”

Kirton will run the sprints and also do the throws. In his first meet, Kirton won the shot put with a throw of 48 feet, 41/2 inches, the second longest throw in school history.

“He should challenge for the school record by the end of the season,” Hruschka said.

Kirton also finished fourth in the 100 and ran on the winning 400 relay team.

“We’re running him pretty hard. He needs that for his college career,” Hruschka said. “That’s why he came out for us, to push him.”

Sophomore Chris Jackson placed first in the 200 and leads a strong Wolfpack sprint crew that includes senior Andrew Williams. Senior Curtis Williams captured the 400.

While the Jackson boys should be among the league’s elite, the girls team is struggling with its lowest numbers in many years. Only about 40 turned out for the team but among those are some talented individuals

“We’ve got a lot of girls that are going to need to do numerous events,” Till said. “We don’t have many girls out. The girls we do have are great.”

Sophomore Allison Graham was the league runner-up in the 1,600.

“She had a good winter,” Hruschka said. “She’s about where she was at this point last year. She has almost the exact same times.”

Sophomores Emily Ochs and Gabrielle Fraley also are among the stronger distance runners.

Senior Jenny Morris is Jackson’s top sprinter. Junior Katie Boulanger and sophomore Allison Body are solid performers in the hurdles and jumps. Another top performer is junior hurdler Brianna Rockenstire.

“The girls have some very good athletes in each area,” Hruschka said.